Courtney Garnett Commits to Oklahoma: Sooners Land Ex-Texas Commit

The Oklahoma Sooners football program has continued to reap the benefits from its improbable Sugar Bowl victory earlier this month.

Thursday night, the latest good news came at the expense of Red River rival Texas, as 3-star defensive tackle and former Longhorns commit Courtney Garnett gave his verbal commitment to Oklahoma, via The Oklahoman’s Jason Kersey: 

Garnett had initially committed to Texas last June. However, following the hire of head coach Charlie Strong, the New Orleans, La., native no longer felt wanted by the program.

As a result, Garnett decommitted from the Longhorns earlier this month, per ESPN’s Damon Sayles (subscription required).

“It was the coaching change and not wanting to be in an environment where I wasn’t recruited by that staff,” he said of his decision, via Sayles' report.  “I don’t think I’d feel comfortable. Right now, there’s no communication with the new staff.”

Garnett made his first official visit to Norman on Jan. 17. Sooners head coach Bob Stoops followed that up by making an in-home visit on Tuesday.

Judging by Garnett’s Twitter page, it appears the meeting went very well: 

The news couldn’t have come at a better time. Just a day before, Oklahoma lost the commitment of 3-star defensive end Brandon Glenn due to academic reasons, via The Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber.

Garnett’s addition moves the team up to 23 commitments for 2014. The Sooners’ class currently ranks No. 18 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12, according to 247Sports’ football recruiting team rankings.

More impressively, the 6’2”, 280-pounder becomes the third recruit Oklahoma has landed from SEC territory. The team has also secured the commitments of Garnett’s St. Augustine High teammate Joseph Paul and Gulfport, Miss., native Tito Windham.

Furthermore, the Sooners are currently working on flipping a commitment from SEC giant LSU in 4-star defensive end Deondre Clark.

Aside from Oklahoma, Garnett also holds offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Ole Miss among others.

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

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